MONMOUTH – Western Oregon University music professor Kevin Walczyk has been awarded the Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Faculty Advisor from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

This is the second consecutive year that WOU has earned national recognition for its dedication to student success. Associate Provost David McDonald attributes this achievement to the fact that, “Academic advising is a campus value and one of the most important aspects that distinguishes WOU from most other colleges and universities.”

Walczyk is one of only 13 in the nation to receive this recognition, being judged by a committee of peers representing 11,000 NACADA members among 26 countries. NACADA is the leader within the global education community for the theory, delivery, application and advancement of academic advising to enhance student learning and development.

Walczyk was originally selected as the recipient of the student-driven Western Oregon University Outstanding Faculty Advisor for the 2006-2007 academic year. The NACADA nomination was the follow-up to the university award. Only one other university in the entire northwest region of five states, two Canadian provinces and one territory received this NACADA honor, exemplifying the personal connection that Western provides its students.

Director of the Academic Advising and Learning Center, Karen Sullivan-Vance, said, “It’s an honor for Kevin, and also for the university, to be recognized by an international community of advising, speaking highly of our faculty and the work we do here with regard to advising.”

Walczyk, a professor of music at WOU for 14 years, serves as the graduate music advisor and coordinator. He created the comprehensive music department student handbook, detailing program requirements that assist students in developing a plan for degree completion. Specializing in jazz arranging, concert composition, film scoring and electronic music, Walczyk believes he has a dual role at WOU as professor and mentor, guiding students through the university experience, stating “If I demonstrate genuine interest in each individual’s collegiate welfare then I inculcate a quality trait that, I hope, permeates their future relationships so that they can, in turn, become model experts - mentors, educators, advisors, parents and citizens.”

Western Oregon University's Associate Provost David McDonald will use his success and experience on campus to address student retention as an invited presenter for the the Western Academic Leadership Forum (WALF) held later this month in Anchorage, Ala.

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Western Oregon University's Associate Provost David McDonald will use his success and experience on campus to address student retention as an invited presenter for the the Western Academic Leadership Forum (WALF) held later this month in Anchorage, Ala.